The other day, it was announced that following a controlled forest fire, a rare hybrid orchid that hasn’t been seen in the wild in Maryland for the past 70 years has emerged. This, I think, is such a wonderful example of the privileging of the destructive energy of of Shiva in the context of the triad of Brahma (creator), Vishnu (sustainer), and Shiva (destroyer).
Shiva in this context does not so much destroy for the sake of destroying, but is part of the inevitable and necessary part of life that strips away, dissolves, razes, eliminates, so that new life can emerge and be sustained.
That there were just three
Perfectly ripe strawberries
Gave rise to an exquisite
Opportunity to practice
Mindful eating.
To enjoy the sun on my back and the weight of the berries in my hand as I picked them.
To linger with their delicate, promising scent.
To enjoy their shape, the patterns of the seeds, the ripe redness.
To taste each one as if it were the only one.
Are you getting enough rest?
